Thankful for aid to Sandy victims

Sunday

Nov 18, 2012 at 2:00 AM

As we approach Thanksgiving there is a lot we have to be thankful for: our homes, our healthy and happy family, gas to fill up our cars to hit the stores for Christmas shopping, and especially electricity.

As we approach Thanksgiving there is a lot we have to be thankful for: our homes, our healthy and happy family, gas to fill up our cars to hit the stores for Christmas shopping, and especially electricity.

Thousands in New York and New Jersey still don't have many of these aforementioned things following the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, which hit the Eastern Seaboard last month causing an estimated $20 billion in damage. What they can be thankful for this holiday is the generosity of complete strangers. While we can't possibly mention all the local efforts, we know numerous individuals and organizations across the Seacoast have organized relief efforts to bring much-needed supplies and aid to the victims of this natural disaster.

The way our local community has come together has truly restored our faith in humanity. In York, Maine, both the York Beach and York Village fire departments are gathering supplies that will be sent out in a shipment after the Thanksgiving holiday. On the northern end of town, volunteers have dropped bag after bag of goods off at Hilton-Winn Farm to be delivered to Sandy victims.

Multiple Seacoast police and fire departments in eight teams will meet on the turf Nov. 21 for bragging rights and a good cause. The Portsmouth Police Department's annual Turkey Bowl on Wednesday will aid relief efforts by raising money and donations of supplies. The game starts at 5:30 p.m. at Portsmouth High School on the Tom Daubney Field.

Hampton and Portsmouth police officers have already made two trips to Long Beach, N.Y., to deliver emergency supplies such as bottled water, batteries and toiletries, and to lend a helping hand. Portsmouth officer Chris Worthington said his old neighborhood now has sewage-tainted water, streets filled with abandoned cars, hours-long gas lines and homes without power and heat.

One former NYC police officer had sewage coming up in a toilet in his home, and his boiler was "destroyed." The interior temperature of his home was 45 degrees. That was early in November. Without help from generous fellow Americans, the problem will only intensify as winter temperatures set in.

David Short, former Stratham selectman and president of Stratham Circle Nursery, and the Wonderland Thrift Shop in Exeter hope to rectify that problem. Short's been collecting warm clothing for two weeks now and left late last week for a trip to Seaside Heights, N.J. A grower outside of New York City brings a truckload of plants to Stratham but instead of going back south empty handed, Short wanted to fill the truck with as many coats, hats, gloves, pants and sweatshirts as possible.

The thrift store staff was also scheduled to leave this weekend with a truck full of warm clothes for adults and children alike.

Another segment of the population severely impacted by Sandy's wrath are our four-legged friends. Staff of the N.H. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals returned Thursday night from Hempstead, N.Y., with nine dogs and four cats. New York and New Jersey shelters are quickly filling up as pets' owners lose their homes or the ability to care for them. "They're beautiful dogs, but there's just so many of them they're on the euthanization list, so we try to save as many as we can," said SPCA cruelty investigator Steve Sprowl.

Using their own money and on their own time, members of the Exeter Fire Department took a trip to Rockaway Beach, N.Y., returning Thursday with stories of devastation.

"They will recover, but it's going to take time," Exeter firefighter Richard Curtis said of the situation.

With our support we can help the victims of Sandy rebuild, get back on their feet and have a happy holiday season.

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